May 26, 2016 6:30 AM
On an annual basis he sees 20.000 people throughout his never-ending process of model scouting. To many of the industry’s top casting directors, he’s the go-to guy when they’re looking for black models to present to a client. Deiwght Peters and his Kingston-based agency Saint International have been in business for 16 years, but it is now more than ever before, that the Jamaican is producing catwalk – and campaign – stars left and right. At the moment, his biggest stars are face of Valentino Tami Williams, and star of the Ralph Lauren spring/summer 2016 campaign Kai Newman. As far as his most recent success stories are concerned, Prada exclusives Naki Depass and Brandon Bailey are currently creating demand.
‘I’ve always been strong in my believes regarding black beauty, and it’s remarkable when you have a number of black faces working across the world with top clients. Every single one of them has different looks and a different type of appeal. Sometimes they get the stereotypical black model job requests and I say “let’s not take that job” – I don’t allow them to be typecast..’ Peters tells us over the phone as he is visiting Paris with two of his models, to meet with a big-name client. Over the years, the banker-turned-model agent his models have worked with the likes of Calvin Klein, Céline, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Givenchy, Prada, Burberry, Chanel and Alexander Wang – to name a few.
‘The eye needs to move fast. I go all over the country – as well as other parts of the Caribbean – and pop up at places you’d never expect.
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When I found Brandon (Bailey), I said “you’re a Prada boy”, and guess what – he was a Prada exclusive in his first season. When I saw Naki (Depass), I told her she was going to be a Givenchy girl – she didn’t know what I was talking about at the time. She booked Givenchy this past fashion week, in addition to Burberry in London. When she booked Burberry I was told that it’s unlikely for a girl that has done Burberry, to be booked for Prada as well. But then I heard Mrs. Prada actually loved her, and she got the job in Milan,’ the Saint International founder says regarding his talent for scouting. Nonetheless, even if Peters recognizes a star at first glance, agencies overseas haven’t always been as receptive, forcing him to be an integral part of his models’ career management, in Jamaica as well as internationally. ‘I work closely with the top agencies in Milan, Paris, London and New York, but I have direct access to the clients also. When I got Andre Doyley the Calvin Klein runway exclusive last year, I told him to see some agencies while he was in New York, without telling them he got the Calvin Klein job. All agencies turned him down, which is funny since he just got confirmed as an exclusive, and they had five boys on option with no confirmation. It was until they saw him on that runway that they were besides themselves. The same thing goes for my boy Brad (Allen). I’ve had him for six years and they kept turning him down – but I knew he would be a star. I booked him directly for Hugo Boss in Berlin several seasons ago. During the most recent men’s fashion week season he did seven of the best shows in Paris, including Givenchy and Balmain. Right now he has two major campaigns coming out. I could’ve let him go before, since nobody was biting – but you got to believe in a model,’ Peters concludes.
Another one of his male model discoveries is Sekou Mara. Deiwght spotted him while Mara was working as a security guard at the Hermès show a couple of seasons ago. ‘I approached him, and told him he should consider being a model. I got him signed to an agency in Paris, and he subsequently got booked by Ellen von Unwerth for a Macy’s TV commercial.’
“Changing lives and expanding horizons” is the motto of the model agent and TV personality who has gained notoriety across Jamaica over the years. ‘The other day, it was really emotional going to a government agency near the community where Kai (Newman) lives. There was a gentleman saying: “Mr. Peters, I remember the day you stopped the car and scouted Kai. We are so happy for that girl; you have changed her life.” He told me he loves to see her travelling to Milan and Paris. The communities are very happy for these kids.’
Amongst the models Deiwght Peters has recently scouted in his native Jamaica, are the Mullings twins and Jenese Roper. Another stand-out is Tajai McPherson, who may pride herself in being Jamaica’s first international plus-size model. ‘No Jamaican model is going to starve herself,’ Peters remarks, regarding the body types of his models, which he blames on genetics, metabolism, and eating at scheduled times. ‘When I first saw Tajai, I told her I didn’t want her to lose any weight. I think she’s special. It’s just a matter of time before she breaks through.’
As the men’s fashion week shows are about to kick off in less than a month, Saint International’s founder tips his new faces JD, Jonny B and Romain, as some of the boys to look out for in June. The agent concludes, ‘I believe in consistency – our models deliver every season. They’re not just a flash in the pan.’
